GATE 2024 Exam Dates: A Comprehensive Guide
Exam Schedule and Important Dates
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a highly competitive examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE (NCB-GATE). The exam serves as a gateway for admission to postgraduate engineering programs in various Indian institutes, including IITs, NITs, and other prestigious institutions. It is also used for recruitment by various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
The GATE 2024 exam dates are yet to be officially announced by the organizing institute. However, based on previous years’ trends, the exam is expected to be held in the month of February 2024.
Here’s a tentative timeline based on past years’ schedules:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | October/November 2023 |
| Online Application Start Date | October/November 2023 |
| Online Application Last Date | December/January 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | January 2024 |
| GATE Exam Dates | February 2024 |
| Answer Key Release | February/March 2024 |
| Result Declaration | March/April 2024 |
Note: These dates are tentative and subject to change. Candidates are advised to refer to the official GATE website for the latest updates and announcements.
Understanding the GATE Exam Pattern
The GATE exam is conducted in a computer-based format. It consists of two papers:
- General Aptitude (GA): This section is common to all branches and assesses a candidate’s general aptitude in areas like verbal ability, numerical ability, and analytical ability.
- Engineering Discipline: This section is specific to the chosen branch of engineering and covers topics related to the candidate’s specialization.
Here’s a breakdown of the exam pattern:
| Section | Marks | Duration | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 15 | 180 minutes | 10 |
| Engineering Discipline | 85 | 180 minutes | 55 |
| Total | 100 | 180 minutes | 65 |
Question Types:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): These questions have four options, and only one option is correct.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): These questions require candidates to enter a numerical answer within a specified range.
Marking Scheme:
- MCQs: +1 mark for a correct answer, -0.33 mark for an incorrect answer, and 0 mark for an unanswered question.
- NATs: +1 mark for a correct answer, 0 mark for an incorrect answer, and 0 mark for an unanswered question.
Choosing the Right GATE Paper
The GATE exam is conducted for 29 different branches of engineering. Candidates need to choose the appropriate paper based on their specialization.
Here’s a list of the available GATE papers:
| Paper Code | Paper Name |
|---|---|
| AE | Aerospace Engineering |
| AG | Agricultural Engineering |
| AR | Architecture |
| BT | Biotechnology |
| CE | Civil Engineering |
| CH | Chemical Engineering |
| CS | Computer Science and Information Technology |
| EE | Electrical Engineering |
| EC | Electronics and Communication Engineering |
| IN | Instrumentation Engineering |
| ME | Mechanical Engineering |
| MN | Mining Engineering |
| MT | Metallurgical Engineering |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Exam
1. When will the exam notification be released?
The official notification for the exam is expected to be released in October/November 2023.
2. What is the tentative exam date?
The exam is tentatively scheduled to be held in February 2024.
3. When will the application process start and end?
The online application process is expected to begin in October/November 2023 and conclude in December/January 2024.
4. When will the admit card be released?
The admit card is expected to be released in January 2024.
5. What is the exam pattern?
The exam is computer-based and consists of two papers: General Aptitude (GA) and Engineering Discipline.
6. What is the duration of the exam?
The exam duration is 180 minutes (3 hours).
7. How many papers are available for the exam?
The exam is conducted for 29 different branches of engineering.
8. What is the marking scheme?
The marking scheme includes +1 mark for correct answers, -0.33 mark for incorrect answers in MCQs, and 0 mark for unanswered questions. NATs are marked +1 for correct answers and 0 for incorrect or unanswered questions.
9. Where can I find the latest updates and announcements?
Candidates are advised to refer to the official website for the latest information.
10. What are the eligibility criteria for the exam?
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the chosen branch of engineering. Candidates should refer to the official notification for detailed information.